Railway refrigerator car



April 19, 1938. HDGIDDINGS 2,114,487

RAILWAY, REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed April '17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Era/0e fiz'o'dln qs A ril 19, 1938. H. GIDDINGS RAILWAYv REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed April 17, 1936 S-Sheets-Sheet 2 o O m 8 w 6 0 m 7 7 o U u xgxvwxx W e U is??? 0 xx gxx E;

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x xxxxxxxxx gxxv Jhventor Horace Giddzhgs Atzforney April 19, 1938. om 2,114,487

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR 1 Filed April 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fiz vent or .l/bra e Bidding! Atorne Patented Apr. 19. 1938 UNITED STATES RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR Horace Giddings, San Francisco, Calif.

Application April 17, 1936, Serial No. 74,936

27 Claims.

The invention relates to railway refrigerator cars which are used to transport perishable commodities. Such cars are usually provided with a bulkhead to form an ice chamber separate from the lading compartment, and the object of the invention is to improve and strengthen the bulkhead and "also to improve and strengthen the walls of the car adjacent the ice chamber and at the same time .to provide relatively large vertical fines for the circulation of the convective air currents and at the same time obtaining a relatively large lading compartment of the car and ice chamber of the car.

Another object of the invention is to increase the size of the opening below the bulkhead by eliminating the; usual posts which support the bulkhead and thereby obtain an uninterrupted space between the bulkhead and the floor of the car for air circulation.

Another object of the invention is to reinforce the bulkhead with a metallic'plate so formed and positioned as to provide great strength to resist the horizontal thrust of the lading and the weaving of the car and at the sametime provide a large flue area for movement of the circulating air in close proximity to the cooling or heating medium without decreasingthe cubical capacity of either the lading compartment or ice chamber of the car.

Another object of the invention is to reinforce the end wall (and preferably also the side walls) of the ice chamber by a metallic plate so formed and positioned as to provide great strength to resist the horizontal thrusts of the shifting ice' and also the impact blows of the ice as it enters the ice chamber and at the same time provide a large flue area for the movement of the circulating air in close proximity to the cooling or heating medium without decreasing the cubical capacity of the lading compartmentor ice chamber of the car. The metallic plate is also positioned and attached to the car structure so as to resist the forces caused by the weaving of the car in motion and thereby maintain the structural elements in their proper relative position which not only lengthens the life of the car but preserves the heat resisting value of the insulation of the car. The construction is also adaptable to a car wherein the bulkhead is adjacent the side wall of the car or positioned near th middle of the car.

Another object is to provide means to brace the bulkhead against the wall reinforcing plate to obtain cooperation between these elements for mutuafreinforcement.

Another object is to so form'one of these means to support the ice grates of the ice chamber.

Another object is to form the wall (or bulk head) reinforcing plate. with a plurality of vertical corrugations and to provide apertures therein so that the spaces between the corrugations on both sides of the plate constitute fiues for movement of circulating air while the corrugationsconstitute vertically disposed beams.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section laterally of the car looking toward the bulkhead with the insulation and metallic reinforcing plate partially removed.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section laterally of the car through the bulkhead with the netting partially removed to show the metallic wall reinforcing plate. 1

Fig. 3 is a vertical section longitudinally of the car showing the relation of the end wall, bulkhead and associated parts.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section between the floor and roof structure of the car showing the relation of the-end wall, bulkhead and associated parts.

Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive show end portions'of modified forms of the metallic wall reinforcing plate.

In the form of the invention illustrated the usual parts of the car are shown, such as center sills 2; side sills 3; floor stringers 4-; floor boards 5; floor insulation 6; false floor I; (or floor rack) false floor support 8; ceiling 9; roof insulation l0; roof metallic sheets ll; carline caps l2; side plates l3; hatches l4; hatch lid l5; hatch plug 16; running boards l1; side posts l8; side sheathing I9; side lining 20; side insulation 2|: corner posts 22; end lining 23; end sheathing 24; end insulation 25; end sill 26; end sill nailing piec 21 and end plate 28.-

The bulkhead A is spaced apart from one wall of the car, usually the end wall 3- thereof, to provide an ice chamber C separate from the lading compartment D of the car. The bulkhead A is usually provided with openings adjacent the roof structure (40) and floor (4!) respectively for air circulation between the ice chamber and lading compartment. The ice chamber comprises an ice basket hav- 'ing foraminous vertical walls with vertical -flues between the foraminous wall and the end wall B, side walls E and bulkhead A, respectively, to allow thercirculating air to move adjacent the ice and be cooled thereby. The ice rests upon grates 43 at the lower part of the ice basket but spaced apart from the floor or drip pan 44 therebelow. The air being cooled by the ice in the ice chamber falls by gravity through the flues,

. moves under the bulkhead and under the false ing, and due to this melting and also to the packing down of the ice while the car is moving, the ice becomes quite compact and sometimes a crust is formed on the upper surface of the ice. Thus the air is prevented from moving through the ice which therefore necessitates providing large flues around the ice basket; that is, between the ice basket and the end wall, side walls and bulk head respectively. I

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a very strong bulkhead having large flues without materially decreasing the cubical capacity of the lading compartment or ice chamber. This is accomplished by providing a metallicplate 46 formed with a plurality of portions 41 in one plane alternating with a plurality of portions 48 in another plane (see Fig. 4) which are connected I by vertical webs 49 extending between the top and the bottom of the bulkhead; that is,'from the upper part of the lower opening 4| to the lower part of the upper opening 40. The foraminous wall 50 forming part of the ice basket is positioned adjacent the portions 48 of said metallic plate 46 in one of said planesiand an insulated wall 5| is positioned adjacent the portions 41 of the plate in the other of said planes. By so forming or corrugating a metallic reinforcing plate very strong vertical beams are provided to strengthen the bulkhead against the inertia force of the lading and atthe same time vertical air flues 53-54 are provided on both sides of the reinforcing plate; in other words, all of the spaces between the vertical webs 49 constitute vertical flues.

The drawings show a removable insulated wall having lips 56 thereon which engage apertures 51 in the bulkhead reinforcing plate. (See Fig. 3.)

The bulkhead A is primarily supported by the strap 60 which preferably extends between the roof sheet (I I) flanges 6| and is held in place by the rivets 62 which hold the roof-sheet flanges and carline cap I! together. The bulkhead may also be partially supported by means (64) fastening it to the side walls E if desirable. By this, suspended bulkhead arrangement an uninter-' rupted space 4! between the bulkhead A and the floor of the car is provided for air circulation between the ice chamber C and lading compartment D. In the usual construction the bulkhead is supported by a plurality of posts (about four or five) which extend between the floor and roof structure of the car and these posts interfere with the free circulation of air; or in other words, out down the area of opening between the bottom of the bulkhead and the floor. In my construction I increase the area of this opening by supporting the bulkhead solely from the roof structure or solely from the roof structure and the side walls of the car.

The end wall B is preferably reinforced by a metallic plate 10 formed with a plurality of portions H in one plane alternating with a plurality of portions 12 in another plane which are connected by vertical webs 13 extendingbetween the roof structure and the underframe of the car and preferably secured thereto by the bolts 15 and I6 respectively whereby the reinforcing plate" arrangement all of the spaces between the vertical webs l3 constitute vertical air flues for the circulating air.

The side walls of the car forming part of the ice chamber are also preferably strengthened by metallic reinforcing plates 8| formed in a similar manner to the end wall reinforcing plates heretofore described and arranged to perform the same functions thereof.

Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive show "modifications of this the plate to provide the openings 83.

Fig. 6 is a modification of Fig. 5 and shows the webs 86 tapered at their ends 81 and also shows the reinforcing plate secured to an attaching angle or member 88.

Fig. 7 shows the portions 90-"9l in the spaced apart planes merging into a common plane 92 thus forming terminal sloping portions which are provided with apertures 93 for the purposes described. The portion in the common plane 92 is bent to form an attaching flange 94 which is provided with apertures for bolts.

Fig. 8 shows a construction wherein the rear portions 95 merge into the plane of the front portions 96 and the plate is bent to form an attaching flange 91'. The portions 96 in contact with the foraminous wall are cut away to provide apertures or notches 98 for the purposes described.

In the drawings so far described I have shown fiat portions of the metallic plate in spaced apart planes, but if desired, the plate may be formed into a plurality of corrugations of sinuous configuration, as shown in Fig. 9, which give better flue effect and also increased radiating surface. Corrugations of sinuous configuration, that is, where they are more rounded, minimize fatigue of metal in the bending process and also minimize skin vide a lower brace I03 which receives the forces from the lower part of the bulkhead and transmits them to the side wall reinforcing plates 81 and end wall reinforcing plate 16. This lower brace I03 is also preferably provided to support the ice grates 43. In the construction shown the lower brace comprises a plurality of angles with one of the flanges I04 arranged to support the ice grate.

While ice is generally used-in the ice chamber it is understood that a heater is sometimes used in this chamber to heat the circulating air and the lading.

By my arrangement the bulkhead, end wall and side walls are reinforced by a substantial corrugated metallic plate, but at the same time the flue area for circulating air around the ice is not restricted, nor have I decreased the inside length of the lading compartment of the car.

the lading compartment, said bulkhead provided with openings adjacent the roof structure and floor respectively for air circulation between the chamber and the compartment, a reinforcing plate for said wall formed with a plurality -of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams, the portions in one ofsaid planes positioned adjacent said wall, and a foraminous wall positioned adjacent portions in the other of said planes, the

-portions of the plate adjacent the foraminous wall'lbeing provided with openings adjacent the "opposite ends thereof to provide vertical air flues on both sides of the reinforcing plate.

2. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, an' underframe, a floor, a wall, and a bulkhead spaced apart from the wall of the car to provide an ice chamber separate from the lading compartment, said bulkhead provided with openings adjacent the roof structure and floor respectively for air circulation between the chamber and the compartment, a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between and secured to the underframe and roof structure, said plate formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams, the portions in one of said planes positioned adjacent said wall, and a foraminous wall positioned adjacent portions in the other of said planes, the portions of the plate adjacent the foraminous wall being provided with openings adjacent said floor and roof structure to provide vertical air flues on both sides of the reinforcing plate.

3. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall, a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between the floor structure and roof structure formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs said portions merging into a common plane adjacent said structures whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams between said structures, the portions in one of said planes positioned adjacent said wall, the portions of the plate in the other of said planes being provided with openings adjacent said structures to provide vertical air flues between the wall andthe reinforcing plate.

4. A reinforcing plate for the wall of a refrigerator car formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate consti tutes a series of verticalbeams, the portions of the plate in one of said planes being provided with openings adjacent the opposite ends thereof to provide vertical air fiues on both sides of the reinforcing plate. I i

5. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure,

said wall extending between and secured to the underframe and roof structure, said plate formed an underframe, a wall, a reinforcing plate for with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams, the portions in one of said planes positioned adjacent said wall, and a foraminous wall positioned adjacent portions in the other of said planes, the portions of the plate adjacent the foraminous wall being cut away for the widths ofsuch portions adjacent said floor and roof structure to provide vertical air flues on both sides of the reinforcing plate.

6. .In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, an underframe, a wall, a.reinforcing plate for said wall extending between and secured to the -underframe androof structure formed into a plurality of verticallypositioned sinuous corrugations whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams, one side of the corrugated plate-positioned adjacent said wall, and a foraminous wall secured to the other side of the corrugated plate, parts of the corrugated plate adjacent said floor and roof structure being perforated to provide vertical air flues on both sides of the reinforcing plate.

7. In a refrigerator car having a floor, a wall anda bulkhead spaced apart from the wall of the car to provide an ice chamber separatefrom the lading compartment, said bulkhead provided with openings adjacent the roof structure and floor respectively for air circulation between the chamber and the compartment, a reinforcing plate for said wall formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams, the portions in one of said planes positioned adjacent said wall, and a foraminous wall positioned adjacent portions in theother of said planes, the portions of the plate adjacent the foraminous wall being provided with openings adjacent the opposite ends thereof to provide vertical air fiues on both sides of the reinforcing plate, means to transmit horizontal forces against said bulkhead to said wall reinforcing plate.

8. In a refrigerator car having a floor, a wall and a bulkhead spaced apart from the wall of the car to provide an ice chamber separate from the lading compartment, said bulkhead provided withbpenings adjacent the roof structure and floor respectively for air circulation between the chamber and the compartment, a reinforcing plate for said wall formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane which are connected by a plurality of vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams, the

.portions in one of said planes positioned adjacent said wall; and a foraminous wall positioned adjacent portions in the other of saidv planes, the

portions of the plate adjacent the foraminous wall being provided with openings adjacent the opposite ends thereof to provide vertical air flues on both sides of the reinforcing plate, means to transmit horizontal forces against said bulkhead to said wall reinforcing plate, one of said means constituting ice grate-supports.

9. In a railway refrigerator car having a roof structure, an underframe and a wall, a metallic reinforcing plate for said wall formed witha plurality of vertical corrugations bearing against said wall and extending between the roof structure and underframe and secured thereto, said plate being provided with apertures to provide vertical air fiues between the reinforcing plate and the wall.

10. In a railway refrigerator car having a roof structure, an underframe and a wall, a metallic reinforcing plate for said wall formed with a plurality of vertical corrugations bearing against W said wall and extending between the roof structure and underframe, said corrugations merging into the plate adjacent the margins thereof which are bent to form attaching flanges, and means to secure said flanges to the roof structure and 5' underframe, said plate being provided with apertures to provide vertical air fiues between the reinforcing plate and the wall.

11. In a railway refrigerator car having a roof structure, an underframe, a wall, a vertically 20 corrugated reinforcing plate extending between and secured to the roof structure'and underframe with one side positioned adjacent said wall, an ice basket comprising a foraminous wall positioned adjacent the other side of the corrugated plate whereby the spaces between the corrugations adjacent the foraminous wall form fiues for air circulation, said plate provided with apertures adjacent the roof structure and underframe respectively to establish air communication he- 30' tween the interior of thecar and the spaces between the corrugations adjacent the car wall whereby the last mentioned spaces form fiues for air circulation.

12. In a railway refrigerator car having a roof sisstructure, an underframe and a wall; a metallic reinforcing plate for said wall formed with a plurality of vertical corrugations bearing against said wall and extending between the roof structure and underframe, said corrugations merging 40 into the plate adjacent the margins thereof, and

45 13. In a refrigerator carhaving a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between said structures and formed with a plurality of portions in one plane positioned adjacent said wall alternat- 50 ing with portions in another plane-spaced apart from said wall, said portions beingNonnected by vertical webs, said portions merging' 'into common planes adjacent said structures whereby the reinforcing plate Constitutes a series of vertical beams 55 extending between said structures to reinforce said wall, the said portions that are spaced apart from the wall being provided with openings adjacent said structures to provide vertical air fiues between the wall and the reinforcing plate. so 14. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between said structures and formed with a plurality of portions in one plane positioned adjacent said wall alternat- 65 ing with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs, said portions merging into common planes adjacentsaid structures whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams 70 extending between said structures to reinforce said wall, certain portions of the plate that are spaced apart from the wall being provided with openings adjacent said stuctures to provide vertical air fiues between the wall and the rein- 7; forcing plate.

15. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between said structuresand formed with a plurality of portions in one plane positioned adjacent said wall alternat- 5 ing with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs, said portions merging into com mon planes adjacent said structures so as to form sloping terminal portions whereby the reinforc- 10 ing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams extending between said structures to reinforce said wall, said terminal portions being provided with openings adjacent said structures to provide vertical air fiues between the wall and the reinforcing plate.

16. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a fioor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between said structures and formed with a plurality of portions in one plane positioned adjacent said wall alternating with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams extending between said structures to reinforce said wall, the said portions that are spaced apart from the wall being notched to provide openings adjacent said structures to provide vertical air fiues between the wall and the reinforcing plate.

17. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between said structures and formed with a plurality of portions in oneplane positioned adjacent said wall alternating with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams extending between said structures to reinforce said wall, the said portions that are spaced apart from the wall being notched to provide openingsadjacent said structures to provide vertical air fiues between the wall and the reinforcing plate, and an attaching member secured to the unnotched portions of the plate.

18. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending between said structures and formed with a plurality of portions in one plane positioned adjacent said wall alternating with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams extending be- 5 tween said structures to reinforce said wall, the said portions that are spaced apart from the wall being notched to provide openings adjacent said structures to provide vertical air fiues between the wall and the reinforcing plate, the unnotched portions of the plate being bent to form attachingflanges.

19. A wall plate for a railway refrigerator car formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane con"- nected by webs, said portions merging into common planes adjacent opposite margins of the plate, the portions in one of said planes being provided with openings adjacent the opposite ends thereof.

20. A wall plate for a-railway refrigerator car formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane connected by webs, the portions in one of said planes being notched to provide openings at the opposite ends thereof, and an attaching member secured to the unnotched portions of the plate.

21. A wall plate for a railway refrigerator car formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane connected by webs, the portions in one of said planes being notched to provide openings at the opposite ends thereof.

22. A wall plate for a railway refrigerator car formed with a plurality of portions in one plane alternating with portions in another plane connected by webs, said portions merging into common planes adjacent opposite margins of the plate so as to form sloping terminal portions, said terminal portions having apertures therein.

23. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure and a wall; a reinforcing plate forsaid wail extending between said structures and formed with a plurality of portion in one plane positioned adjacent said wall alternating with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams extending betwee'n said structures to reinforce said wall, certain portions of the plate that are spaced apart from the wall being provided with openings adjacent said structures to provide vertical air flues between the wall and the reinforcing plate.

24. In a refrigerator car having a roof structure, a floor structure, comer posts and a wall; a reinforcing plate for said wall extending'between said structures and between said posts and secured thereto, said plate formed with a plurality of portions in one plane positioned adjacent said wall, alternating with portions in another plane spaced apart from said wall, said portions being connected by vertical webs whereby the reinforcing plate constitutes a series of vertical beams extending between said structures to reinforce saidwallbetweensaidmcertainpcrtionsof theplatethatarespacedapart fromthewallbeing provided-with openings fllfiacent said structures to provide vertical air lines between the wall and the reinforcing plate.

25. In a refrigerator car having side walls, an end wall, a bulkhead, a vertically corrugated reinforcing plate positioned against each of said side walls and secured thereto, said corrugations having apertures therein to provide air lines between the plate and the adjacent wall, and a brace at-' tached to the bulkhead and having normally extending end portions secured to the corrugations in the side wall reinforcing plates whereby forces against the bulkhead are distributed to the side wall reinforcing plates and the side walls.

26. In a refrigerator car having side walls, an end wall, a bulkhead, a vertically corrugated reinforcing plate positioned against each of said side and end walls and secured thereto, said corrugations having apertures therein to provide air flues between the plate and the adjacent wall, and a brace attached to the bulkhead and having normally extending end portions secured to the cor-'- rugaticns in the side wall reinforcing plates and also to the end wall reinforcing plate whereby forces against the bulkhead are distributed to the side and end wall reinforcing plates.

27'. In a refrigerator car having side walls, an

head are distributed to the side wall reinforcing plates and the side walls.

HORACE GIDDINGS. 

